Knitted toe ring

ABSTRACT

An article of jewelry, such as a children&#39;s toe ring, adapted for use upon a phalange of a wearer, includes a soft, compressible, and flexible band configured to at least partially encircle the phalange, and a decorative head including a soft, compressible, and flexible member for engaging the phalange, wherein the band and member are coupled in such a manner that solely presents soft, compressible, and flexible engaging surfaces, when the article of jewelry is donned by the wearer, and the member provides an overlay, where expansive.

The present disclosure relates generally to toe rings and other articlesof jewelry, and more particularly, to children's toe rings that presentonly soft engaging surfaces, so as to prevent or mitigate injury anddiscomfort.

BACKGROUND

Toe rings are a popular type of jewelry that have long been used tobeautify the foot of the wearer. Children, in particular, often don toerings upon the index, middle, or fourth toe; however, adults may wearthem as well. Conventional toe rings, like other jewelry, typicallyfeature a rigid, often metal (e.g., gold, silver, etc.) band or shankthat engages a receiving section of the middle or proximal phalanx boneof the toe. The shank may be open or continuous, so as to at leastpartially encircle the bone. Typically, the toe ring also includes asetting or head that sits upon the band/shank. The setting or head alsopresents a rigid, hard, and inflexible (e.g., metallic, plastic, etc.)structure that is bonded (e.g., soldered, etc.) to the shank, whereinthe bonding material also becomes hard; and finally, at least one gemstone may be inserted within the setting/head. The size of the band orshank is such that the ring will fit snuggly around the receivingsection of the toe (e.g., generally between 0.5 and 1.5 cm in diameter).Due to the cost and hardness of the material, the head is not typicallyexpansive and typically does not present a planar configurationoverlying one or more toes.

Asides from beautification, toe rings have other associated benefits.For example, toe rings have been indicated to be worn to regulate themenstrual cycle, and thus increase the chances of conception, as it isbelieved in some cultures that a slight pressure on the second toeensures a healthy uterus. Some cultures also say that the pressure felton the second toe helps ease pain associated with child birth.

In addition to the beautification and therapeutic compression that thesestylish accoutrements bring, they present various concerns that are notwell known. Every year, for example, hundreds of people suffer seriousinjury to, and even detachment of a toe, due in part to snagging theirmetallic toe ring. Further, the metal band may spur or flatten, due toprolonged use, and the weight of the wearer, which may cause the band toform a sharp edge that may prick or cut the sensitive toe skin of thewearer. When the band diameter is too small, the inflexible band may bepainful to place or remove passed the distal ends of the phalanx bonesor knuckles, which typically present a larger diameter than thereceiving section 110 of the bone. Where the band diameter is too large,a gap may result once the ring is positioned, which may snag or pinchthe wearer's skin. Children, especially, may not possess the dexteritynecessary to avoid such injuries.

There accordingly remains a need in the art for a new and improvedarticle of jewelry, such as, a beautifying and stylish toe ring thatprevents or mitigates injury and/or discomfort.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention discloses an article of jewelry, such as a ring,or toe ring, that addresses the above-mentioned concerns. Moreparticularly, the inventive article comprises a soft, compressible, andflexible band, and a soft, compressible, and flexible head that iscoupled to the band. In a preferred embodiment, at least one bead may befurther coupled to a planner head opposite the band, so as to be spacedfrom the wearer. As a result, the inventive article of jewelry presentsonly soft engaging surfaces with the phalange, when donned by a wearer.Thus, the invention is useful for reducing the potential for injury anddiscomfort caused by conventional toe rings. That is to say, theinvention provides a flexible toe ring, that gives when snagged, thatwill not develop sharp spurs, and that facilitates placement andremoval. In elastic configurations, the invention is further useful forapplying a slight pressure to the toe, which may produce physiologicalbenefits to the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, it is appreciatedthat an expansive planner configuration of the head and the softengaging surfaces of the ring enable the inventive toe ring to be placedat or near anomalous growths (e.g. corns, scars, calluses, etc.) of thetoe, so as to overlay and hide said growths, without discomfort.

The above described and other features, including the use of crochet andknitting to construct the toe ring, are exemplified by the followingfigures and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the figures, which are exemplary embodiments andwherein like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a planar view of a first embodiment of a children's toe ring,having an ornamental butterfly configuration and band shown in hiddenline type within the inset, said ring being donned by a human foot;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a children's toering having a knitted band, flower petals threadedly coupled to theband, and a bead bonded centrally to the petals opposite the band;

FIG. 2a is a planar view of the second embodiment of the toe ring;

FIG. 2b is a front elevation of the second embodiment of the toe ring,showing threaded attachment between the petals and band;

FIG. 2c is a side elevation of the second embodiment of the toe ring;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a toe, wherein an elastic band diameterin stretched, and unstretched (shown in hidden-line type) conditions issuperimposed for comparison;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of the toe ring,wherein the bonded bead has been replaced by a threaded bead defining athrough-hole;

FIG. 5 is a planar view of a fourth embodiment of the toe ring as shownin FIGS. 2-2 c, the only difference being the addition of a flower petaland absence of a bead, it being understood that all other surfaces arethe same as those of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of the toe ring,wherein the petals are formed by cloth, and a plurality of beads arebonded to the petals opposite the band;

FIG. 7 is a planar view of a first embodiment of a children's toe ring,having a multi-petal flower configuration, said ring being donned by ahuman foot;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a children's toering having a knitted band, and flower petals threadedly coupled to theband;

FIG. 8a is a planar view of the second embodiment of the toe ring;

FIG. 8b is a front elevation of the second embodiment of the toe ring,showing threaded attachment between the petals and band; and

FIG. 8c is a side elevation of the second embodiment of the toe ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein and shown in FIGS. 1-8 are several embodiments of anarticle of Jewelry, and more particularly, a toe ring 10, which, incontrast to the prior art, presents only soft, compressible, andflexible engaging surfaces with the toe 100. Although reference will bemade herein to toe ring applications, it is contemplated that theinventive ring configuration can be employed as a finger ring withslight modification. The illustrated toe rings 10 are exemplary only andare not intended to be limited to any particular shape, size,configuration, or the like. The toe ring assemblies disclosed herein maybe constructed in numerous ways, a few of which are described hereinbelow, provided that only soft engaging surfaces make contact with thetoes 100 and foot of the wearer. Other designs, configurations, materialchoices, and methods of construction will be readily recognized by thoseskilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

As used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, and the like do not denoteany order or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one elementfrom another; and the terms “the”, “a”, and “an” do not denote alimitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least oneof the referenced item. Directional descriptors used herein are withreference to the toe ring. Furthermore, all ranges disclosed herein areinclusive of the endpoints and independently combinable.

As shown in FIG. 1, the article of jewelry 10 is adapted for use upon aphalange (e.g, finger or toe) 100 of a preferably human wearer. Thephalange 100 presents a receiving section (e.g, the middle 50% of themost proximal phalange bone attached to the foot) 110 that defines adiameter (e.g., for toes, less than 0.4-1.2 cm in children, and between1.0-2.0 cm in adults). The article of jewelry 10 comprises a soft,compressible, and flexible band 12 configured to at least partiallyencircle the receiving section of the toe 100, for holding the ring 10in place, and a decorative head 14 including a soft, compressible, andflexible member 16 for overlaying and beautifying the toe 100. Morepreferably, the member 16 is planar, so as to overlay the receivingsection 110 or other section of the toe(s) that may not be desired toshow. The band 12 and member 16 are preferably threadably engaged, i.e.,held together by a thread, yarn, filament, etc., such that the ring 10is configured to solely present soft, compressible, and flexibleengaging surfaces with the toe 100, when the article of jewelry isdonned by the wearer. The band 12 and member 16 may be fixedly coupledby other means, so long as only a soft, compressible, and flexibleengaging surface is presented.

The article of jewelry 10 may be constructed by knitting, and morepreferably crochet. For example, a 2.5 or 2.75 mm crochet hook, 8MEmbroidery thread floss (2 skies of different colors (A and B)), orCascade Yarns fixation (98.3% Cotton/1.7% Spandex) may be employed. Morepreferably, the an elastic band 12 is further incorporated into the bandso as to provide additional stretch-ability, and compressive therapeuticeffect. The ring band 12 may be formed by crocheting a chain in color A,wherein row 1 is a half, double crochet in second chain from hook and ineach chain across, for 10 half, double crochet. Using color B, theflower member 16 may be constructed using a chain 4 slip stitch to firstchain to form a ring, for chain 3. For round 1, three double crochetinside band chain 3 and slip stitch to band, chain 3. Then 3 doublecrochet inside band, chain 3 and slip stitch to band, and repeat twomore times. Fasten off leaving long enough tail to sew flower to band.The flower member 16 may be attached to the band at the seam (the seammade when sewing the band together). Finally, all ends are weaved in,and the excess is cut off. The preferred crocheting process issummarized as follows:

-   -   Step 1: make a chain ten    -   Step 2: double crocheting into each chain ten to make it a wider        band;    -   Step 3: leave a long tail to sew the band together;    -   Step 4: crochet chains of four;    -   Step 5: join chains of four together (slip stitch) to make a        ring, and then double crochet inside the ring to start the        flower (one petal consists of 2 double crochets and a chain        three);    -   Step 6: repeat until 4 petals are knitted; leave excess tail to        attach flower to the band; and    -   Step 7: sew ends of band together, and then attach the flower;        cut off excess material.

Alternatively, a bead 18 may be added by sewing or gluing the bead tothe member 16, preferably in the middle of the flower, opposite the band12 (FIGS. 2, 2 a-2 c). It is appreciated that other auxiliary elementsmay be incorporated for decorative purposes, such that the engagingsurface of the ring 10 remains soft and flexible. More preferably, theconstruction material may present desirable treatments and resistance,such anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and color fade resistance. Forexample, the thread material may be intertwined with silver fiber, so asto present an anti-microbial band.

As shown in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the toe ring 10 mayinclude planar member 16 in an ornamental butterfly configuration,wherein the band 12, shown in hidden line type within the inset, islongitudinally and laterally centered with the member 16. Again, it isappreciated that other shapes and designs for the planar member 16 maybe implemented, including without limitation, geometric shapes, zodiacsigns, etc. The manner of construction further enables the formation ofcustom designs that may be created and attached to a band at a retaillocation. FIGS. 2-2 c 7, 8-8 c for example, show a second embodiment ofthe toe ring 10 having a knitted band, a four-flower petal member 16,threadedly coupled to the band via a thread 20 (FIG. 2b ), and a bead 18bonded centrally to the petals opposite the band. FIG. 2b shows a band12 having an elastic member 22 sewn therein. The band 12 is configuredsuch that it is operable to achieve first (unstretched) and second(stretched) diameters that preferably book-end the diameter of thereceiving section of the toe (FIG. 3). This provides a slight holding ormedicinal pressure to be applied to the toe. FIG. 4 shows a thirdembodiment of the toe ring, wherein the bonded bead has been replaced bya threaded bead defining a through-hole. Here, the thread 20 may furthercoupled the bead 18, member 16, and band 12. FIG. 5 is a planar view ofa toe ring member 16 presenting a five-petal flower configuration, andin another embodiment, FIG. 6 shows a toe ring 10, wherein the petalsare formed by cloth, and a plurality of beads are bonded to the petalsopposite the band.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing fromthe essential scope thereof. For example, it is appreciated that otherforms of knitting, stitching, or otherwise constructing the flexibleband and planar member may be utilized. Therefore, it is intended thatthe disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed asthe best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but thatthe disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of jewelry adapted for use upon aphalange of a wearer, wherein the phalange presents a receiving sectiondefining a first diameter, said article of jewelry comprising: a soft,compressible, and flexible band configured to at least partiallyencircle the receiving section of the toe; and a decorative headincluding a soft, compressible, and flexible member for engaging thetoe, wherein the band and member are threadably coupled, so as to solelypresent soft, compressible, and flexible engaging surfaces, when thearticle of jewelry is donned by the wearer.
 2. The article of jewelry asclaimed in claim 1, said band being formed from a cloth, fabric, yarn,or thread.
 3. The article of jewelry as claimed in claim 2, said bandcomprising an elastic filament interwoven with said cloth, fabric, yarn,or thread, defining an unstretched inside diameter less than the engageddiameter, so as to apply a holding force to the toe, when the article ofjewelry is donned by the wearer, and operable to achieve a stretcheddiameter greater than the engaged diameter, so as to facilitateplacement and removal.
 4. The article of jewelry as claimed in claim 1,said band being continuous, so as to fully encircle the toe.
 5. Thearticle of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, said member being formed froma cloth, fabric, yarn, or thread.
 6. The article of jewelry as claimedin claim 1, wherein the member presents a planar configuration, andoverlays the engaging section, when the article of jewelry is donned bythe wearer.
 7. The article of jewelry as claimed in claim 6, said planarconfiguration defining a shape selected from the group consistingessentially of a four-petal bloomed flower, a five-petal bloomed flower,and a butterfly.
 8. The article of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, saidhead further comprising at least one bead centrally coupled to themember opposite the band.
 9. The article of jewelry as claimed in claim8, wherein said at least one bead defines at least one through-hole, andthe bead, head, and band are threadably coupled.
 10. The article ofjewelry as claimed in claim 1, wherein the band is formed of threadcrocheted to form a chain; and the member is formed of thread crochetedto form a planar configuration operable to overlay the receivingsection.
 11. An article of jewelry adapted for use upon a phalange of awearer, wherein the phalange presents a receiving section defining afirst diameter, said article of jewelry comprising: a soft,compressible, and flexible band configured to at least partiallyencircle the receiving section of the toe; and a decorative headincluding a soft, compressible, and flexible member for engaging thetoe, wherein the band and member are threadably coupled, so as to solelypresent soft, compressible, and flexible engaging surfaces, when thearticle of jewelry is donned by the wearer, said band being formed froma cloth, fabric, yarn, or thread, said member being formed from a cloth,fabric, yarn, or thread, wherein the member presents a planarconfiguration, and overlays the engaging section, when the article ofjewelry is donned by the wearer, wherein the band is formed of threadcrocheted to form a chain; and the member is formed of thread crochetedto form a planar configuration operable to overlay the receivingsection.